MATRICULATION MARKINGS.

Evening Star, Issue 23564, 1 May 1940, Page 6

MATRICULATION MARKINGS.

A new stone, and a round, effective one, to fling against the matriculation examination and examinations in general has been provided by some markers for the University. Scholastic dovecotes were fluttered a few weeks ago when it was discovered that something had gone wrong with the markings of tho arithmetic papers for matriculation. Pupils who had received no marks, or very low marks, in that part of the test were given more on a reconsideration of their papers, and in some instances —170 for the Dominion —the difference was sufficient to make them pass, instead of fail, the test as a whole. It was awkward —something approaching a scandal —for the University, embarrassing for the schools, and potentially a grave injury to candidates. The schools had to move children, whose hearts were lightened hy the second pronouncement, from one form to another in mid-term; and some children had left, for better or worse, setting bounds to their ambitions for a career at the prior news of failure. Matriculation puts quite the worst strain, in some respects, on the examination system. There are over 5,000 entries. The chief examiner works necessarily with assistants—there were four for these arithmetic papers—uniformity being safeguarded by means of consultations. Very detailed instructions are given to examiners. The work is done against time, but more markers can be appointed if they are needed. Though there have been complaints against particular papers, there has been no bad miscarriage of marking before. This time the Executive Committee of the Senate has had to record its “ strong disapproval of the lack of responsibility and of reasonable care ” shown by the examiners of arithmetic, and to recommend the Senate to debar each of them from performing similar duties in any entrance examination during its pleasure, but in no case for less than five years. The best alleviation of an unfortunate position for the Senate is that its committee was the first to suspect miscarriage, and to take remedial measures. Apparently the mistakes of the examiners were not limited to one kind. The best has been done now that could be done, both to redress the position and prevent repetition. But what of the matriculation examination as an institution? Measures have been in train for some years past to limit its application and reduce its unwieldiness. The schools certificate, for pupils not proceeding to the University, to some extent meets those ends. There is prospect of accrediting, as an alternative for University entrance, in the case of certified schools. The test would still be needed for those not satisfied when they were refused accrediting, for the professorial courses, and for uncertified schools. The tyranny which is exerted by matriculation in our secondary school courses has been often emphasised. With all its disadvantages, it will be strange if it is not found, in the case of large numbers of pupils, that the greatest spur to effort has been swept away when, and to the extent that, it is abolished.

A family’s request to the Ellerslie Borough Council for permission to take up residence in an old building which is not classified as a dwelling indicates the acute house shortage in and round Auckland. The letter stated that the family consisted of the parents and three children, and they were occupying an attic in the city. A member of the council suggested that an endeavour be made to meet the request, and the inspector was authorised to deal with the application.

Several units of the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force have already producer! marching songs written and set to music by some of the soldiers themselves. Perhaps the most recent of these come from the Maori Battalion and the 27th (Machine Gun) Battalion. Both have received high praise from officers who served in the last war and have a critical ear for marching songs. It is also stated that since the war started dozens of songs for the soldiers’ use have been submitted by civilians.

With cargoes for New Zealand and Australian consignees, the German steamers Cassel, Franken, and Stassi'urt have been sheltering in the Dutch East Indies throughout most of the war. Negotiations for the release of the cargoes have reached the stage where tho London Chamber of Commerce has advised the New Zealand Associated Chambers of Commerce that a Batavia lawyer has been instructed to apply to the courts for orders for deliveries. On the release of cargo, owners are to pay the London Chamber 5 per cent, of the c.i.f. value as an adjustable deposit to cover legal expenses. Success had previously attended efforts for the release of several items from the cargo of the Stassfurt. What the magistrate described as one of the most remarkable cases of his long experience was that in which a youth, aged 17, answered 2q chargeso' the unlawful conversion of cars which were taken for joy riding and abandoned in Nelson. The magistrate said he realised! that the practice of converting cars seemed to become a mania. Something would have to be done to bring the accused under control. He would be ordered detention in the Borstal for two years. A country of 8,000,000 natives, 2,000,000 white people, and an immense population of pests was how Mr .1. H. Hinton described tho inhabitants of South Africa to members of the Travel Club at a function to-day. He said that there were 55 known swarms of locusts in Natal at the time ho was there, and 15,000 tons of poisoned pollard were provided free as one method of checking their wholesale destruction.